Elevating mechanism for loading shovels or the like



y E948. J. D. COLDWELL ETAL ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOVELS OR THE LIKE Filed May 22 5 Sheets-Sheet l Afiarnsg/ May 11, 19486 J. D. COLIDWELL ETAL gfim gm ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOYELS OR THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ay 11L 1948. J. D. COLDWELL ET AL 2 41 3% ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOVELS OR THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 9 W48. J D. COLDWELL ET AL 2,4423% ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOVELS OR THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 J 0-. COLD/VH1 Gavypn/ MMV May 11, 1948. J. D. COLDWELL ETAL EAALBW ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOVELS OR THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets$heet 5 Patented May 11, 1948 ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR LOADING SHOVELS OR THE LIKE .loc Davidson Caldwell, Timperley, and Frank Benyon, Bolton, England Application May 22, 1945, Serial No. 595,152 In Great Britain May 31, 1944 22 Claims. (Cl. 214-131) This invention relates to mechanism for ele vating a beam or jib of elevating apparatus, such as loading shovels or the like, such as cranes, of the kind comprising a beam or jib, pivotally mounted on a wheeled chassis and having winch and cable mechanism by which one end of the said beam or jib may be raised and lowered,

Hitherto, loading shovels or the like of the kind referred to have been constructed either with a beam pivoted intermediate of its length and with the cable arranged to pull down the rear end of the beam, or with a jib and a superstructure or mast-like structure with a pulley at the top from which the cable passes to the jib for pulling it up or letting it down.

The disadvantage of such arrangements is that the maximum height of lift for the shovel or working end of the beam or jib, if it exceeds the maximum height of the apparatus, it does so only to a small amount compared with such height. The only known alternative to such constructions and which provides a lift for the operative end of the jib to a point well above a relatively low superstructure, has embodied hydraulic lifting mechanism wherein the pull of the cable is transmitted to the jib as thrust through a strut which is constrained to fold and unfold relatively to the jib as the latter is lowered and raised and wherein the cable is caused to flex and unflex over an abutment as the strut folds and unfolds whereby the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, or the resultant of .thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment.

According to the invention, the improved mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism comprises a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam withthe lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to flex making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut.

The invention may be further characterised in that the strut is one part of an articulated or 2 knee-like pair of links. pivoted together and to the jib and superstructure.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a loading shovel having jib elevating mechanism made in accordance with one example of the invention.

Fig. 1a is a diagrammatic view showing the mode of operation of Fig. 1.

Figs. 2 and 3 are front and rear elevations of the loading shovel shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified construction of the lifting mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 4a is a diagrammatic view showing the mode of operation of Fig. 4.

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of Figs. 4 and i, respectively.

In the example of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the improved loading shovel has 8. rectangular superstructure of girder construction at each side, each consisting of a vertical front member l0 secured to the chassis M, a rearwardly inclined rear member l2 and a forwardly inclined intermediate member l 3 giving the necessary triangulation effect. Cross-bracing it (see Fig. 2) in the upright members provides lateral rigidity. The tops of the upright members It, 02 and it are connected to a horizontal longitudinal member 15.

so The chassis ll is of any known construction with a winch is incorporated and suitable gear-= ing, clutch and brake mechanism therefore which are not shown in detail. The shovel comprises a bucket ll pivotally mounted at the forward end of two side arms 18, forming a jib, the-rear ends of which are pivotally mounted in brackets I9 secured to the rear end of the top members 15 of the superstructure, the side arms l8 passing on the outside of such superstructure so that the bucket may be lowered to ground level. The overall height above the pivot brackets aforementioned is approximately 8 from the ground. Pivotally mounted between the side members of the superstructure and adjacent the pivot for the jib is a second winding drum consisting of large .and small pulleys 20 and 2! respectively. mounted on a cross shaft 22, the larger pulley 20 being adapted to have attached to it one end of a winding cable 23, the other end of which is connected to the main winding drum I6 aforesaid located on the chassis behind the driver's seat, so that the cable passes up at the rear of the machine. At the front end of the superstructure and on the to thereof is mounted a further and third winding drum assembly consisting of a larger drum :4 and two smaller drums 28a and Ilb the latter fixed to the ends of the shaft 23 and the larger drum 24 being in line with the smaller drum 2| aforesaid of the second winding drum assembly and connected thereto by a suitable cable 21. Pivoted to the underside of the side arms of the Jib are strut members, their pivot positions at 28c being such that as the jib is raised they pass behind the forward or third winding drum assembly. Each of these struts 28 is connected by a link 29 at their rear ends to a pivot point 30 on the upper longitudinal member l of the superstructure, the length of such links being such that when the jib is in its lowered position the strut members lie substantially parallel as shown in Fig. 1 to and in a rearward direction of the side arms of the lib. whilst the upper pivot point 30 is so positioned that when the jib is raised such link will bring the end of the strut into a position just immediately behind the forward or third windingdrum assembly as shown dotted in Fig.1. At the base end of each such strut, that is. to say where it is pivoted to the jib, the strut is formed with an arcuate cable guide 3| adapted to receive and form an abutment for the cables 32 described later, whilst at the rearward end of each strut there are provided suitable adjustable anchorage means 33 for the end of such cables. lifting cables 32 having their ends secured to such adjustable anchorage means 33 are arranged so that when the bucket is lowered their lower ends fold and lie alongside the jib and are flexed round the abutment guides 3| at the forward end of the struts, from which they pass upward to and over the smaller drums 25a and 25b of the forward or third winding assembly.

In operation, when the motive power is engaged for operating the winch, the latter through the reduction gearing effect of the second winding drum assembly causes the front winding drum assembly to rotate to pull on the lifting'cables 32. Such cables, by their abutment against the guides 3i of the strut arms start to lift the jib so that substantially all the lift to begin with is obtained by pressure against such abutments. The cable also applies leverage to the strut to assist the lifting effort. As the jib rises, the included angle of the cable round such abutment gradually opens, whilst the rear ends of the struts commence to move away from the jib under the 7 control of the guide links 28. When the jib reaches approximately a horizontal position the strut arms will be almost in line with the lifting cables and as the forward ends; of the strut arms pass the height of the third or forward winding drum assembly, the tension on the cable taken directly to the lower end of the strut arms is the whole thrust transmitted to the jib. Thus, as can be seen, as the bucket is raised, the lifting efiort applied to the jib initially at the abutment of the flexed cable progressively decreases at such abutment as the strut arms move into a position when they become parallel to the lifting cable and thereafter the arcuate abutments on the strut arms leave the cable so that the whole of the lifting force transmitted to the lib is the thrust in such strut arms. when the jib is lifted to its maximum height engagin a stop Ill the bottom of the bucket will be lifted approximately to a height of 11' 6" as compared with the maximum normal overall height of the superstructure previously mentioned. In the fully raisedposition of the jib the strut memintermediate and part-folded positions of the strut, the lifting force applied to the jib is the resultant of thrust in the struts and pressure on the abutments.

Obviously the converse operation follows in that as the jib is lowered the load at first taken wholly by the strut members until their abutments are engaged by the lifting cables, is then progressively taken at such abutments until, when the bucket is in its fully lowered position, substantially all the component of lift is obtained through such abutment.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the load ing shovel has most of the parts shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and such parts are given the same references. It differs from the first construction in that, instead of'the struts 28 and links 29 there are forwardly folding struts 34 pivoted at 35, to the jib IS, the rear ends of the struts 34 having relatively extended portions 344; behind the pivots 35 with arcuate cable guides 34b. The cables 32 as in the first example, are connected to anchorages 33 on the strut but pass over the front of the pulleys 25a and 251: instead of over the back of the pulleys and consequently also the cable 21 passes over the top of the pulley 24.

Another difference in the construction is that the front member Ill of the superstructure is rearwardly inclined towards its upper end. In substitution for the links 29 of the first construction, the folding and unfolding movement of the struts 34 is controlled by a cam track formed by the front edges of the members In and at the lower end by a small plate Illa against which rollers 34c may roll as the jib is raised and lowered. As shown in dotted lines on Fig. 4 when the jib is fully raised, the struts 34 are substantially vertical, but the rearward inclination of the members i0 gives extra reach for the 4 jib which is useful when loading into a. truck.

If desired, these struts may also have a backward inclination when in their raised position. Stops lllb on the members I0 limit the lift of the jib by engagement of the rollers therewith.

What we claim is:

1. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib,

means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the end of the strut for the cable end and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to flex making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the stru 2. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constrainin such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable end and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the'strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut, the said strut being arranged to fold rearwardly towards the alignment with the beam as the latter is lowered, whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating, force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut bers are in a substantially vertical position. In and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the jib,

3. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel,

including winch and cable mechanism comprise ing a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable end, and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut, the said strut being arranged to told torwardly towards the alignment of the beam, as the latter is lowered, whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the jib.

4. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism comprising a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib, linkage means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the end ofthe strut for the cable end and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to. flex making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut, the said abutment for the cable being located on the strut so as to provide leverage or mechanical advantage to increase the lift during the initial lifting movement of the beam and the strut being arranged to fold rear wardly towards the alignment with the beam as the latter is lowered.

5. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel,-

including winch and cable mechanism comprising a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib, cam track means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the end of the strut for the cable end, and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to flex making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut, the said abutment for the cable being located on the strut so as to provide leverage or mechanical advantage to increase the lift during the initial lifting movement of the beam and the strut being arranged to fold forwardly towards the alignment of the beam as the latter is lowered.

6. Elevating apparatus comprising a superstructure and a beam or jib with winch and cable mechanism for elevating the same characterised by a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and rais ing of the beam, an anchorage at the free end of the strut for the cable end and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to flex making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut, and further characterised in that the superstructure comprises a link pivoted on said superstructure and said free end and forwardly inclined from its lower towards its upper end so as to provide increased reach for the jib when in the raised position,

7. Elevating apparatus comprising a superstructure and a beam or jib with winch and cable mec for elevating the same characterised by a strut pivotally attached to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and untold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the free end of the strut for the cable end and an abutment for the cable so that the latter is caused to flex making the lower end or the cable fold and unfold with the strut, said strut being arranged to fold forwardly towards the alignment of the beam as the latter is lowered and further characterised in that the superstructure comprises a link pivoted. on said superstructure and said free end and for- 8. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a, loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, .an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the jib, said means for constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam comprising linkage.

9. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib .of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold. below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of

thrust in the strut along from the cable to the jib, said means for constraining such strut to fold and unfold comprising a cam track.

10. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the 7 wards alignment with the beam as the-latter is lowered.

11. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the towards alignment with the beam as the latter is lowered.

l2. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an-elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel,

including winch and cable mechanism, compris-' ing a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end jib, said strut being arranged to fold forwardly in the strut alone from the cable: to the jib, said mechanism including a superstructure carrying the winch and cable mechanism, said superstructure having a front member rearwardly inclined towards its upper end so as to provide increased reach for the jib when in the raised position,

13, Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beamwith the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abut ment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the jib, said mechanism including a superstructure carrying the winch and cable mechanism, said superstructure having a front member rearwardly inclined toward its upper end so as to provide increased reach for the jib when in the raised position, said front'member constituting a cam track and said strut having a roller at its non-pivoted end to engage the said cam track for controlling the folding and unfolding movement of the strut.

14. Mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel,

Y 8 including winch and cable mechanism, comprising a strut pivotally attached near one end to the beam or jib, means constraining such strut to fold and unfold below the beam with the lowering and raising of the beam, an anchorage at the other end of the strut for the cable and an abutment for the cable adjacent to the pivoted end of the strut so that the cable is caused to flex over such abutment, making the lower end of the cable fold and unfold with the strut whereby such strut forms a thrust link between the cable and the jib so that the elevating force applied to the jib consists, while the strut is folded, of the resultant thrust in the strut and pressure on the abutment, and whilst the strut is unfolded, of thrust in the strut alone from the cable to the jib, said mechanism including a superstructure carrying the winch and cable mechanism. said superstructure having a front member rearwardly inclined towards its upper end so as to provide increased reach for the jib when in the raised position, said means for controlling the folding and unfolding movement of the strut comprising a link connected to an upper member of the superstructure and to the non-pivoted end of the strut.

15. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a. loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to said apparatus and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted to an intermediateportion 16. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib J of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to said apparatus and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted to an intermediate portion of said beam, an abutment adjacent to said strut pivot, said cable adapted to slidably engage said abutment, said cable being anchored on said strut at a substantial distance from said strut pivot, and a link pivoted to said apparatus and to said strut at a point remote from said strut pivot.

17. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, havingsaid beam pivoted to said apparatus and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted to an intermediate portion of said beam, an abutment adjacent to said strut pivot, said cable adapted to slidably engage said abutment, said cable being anchoredon said strut at a substantial distance from said strut pivot, said strut lying substantially parallel to said beam when the latter is in lowered position and being at a substantial angle thereto when the latter'ls in its upper position.

18. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to said apparatus and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted to an intermediate portion of said beam, an abutment adjacent to said strut pivot, said cable adapted to slidably engage said abutment, said cable being anchored on said strut at a substantial distance from said strut pivot, said cable extending upwardly from said abutment and adapted to exert lifting eflort against said abutment when the beam is in lowered position, said efiort being gradually transferred to said anchor as the beam is elevated.

19. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to said apparatus and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted to an intermediate portion of said beam, an abutment adjacent to said strut pivot, said cable adapted to slidably engage said abutment, said cable being anchored on said strut at a substantial distance from said strut pivot, and means for guiding the unattached end of said strut in the rotation of said strut about its pivot.

20. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to the upper part of said superstructure and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted at one end to an intermediate portion of said beam, a link pivoted to the other end of said strut and to the top of said superstructure, a, cable drum mounted on the top of said superstructure, and a cable passing downwardly from said drum over said abutment and anchored beyond said abutment.

21. In mechanism for elevating a beam or Jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to the upper part of said superstructure and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted at one end to an intermediate portion, of said beam, a link pivoted to the other end of said strut and to the top of 86 said superstructure, a cable drum mounted on 10 the top of said superstructure, and a cable passing downwardly from said drum over said abutment and anchored beyond said abutment, the p rt of said cable between said drum and abutment being approximately perpendicular to said beam in its several positions.

22. In mechanism for elevating a beam or jib of an elevating apparatus, such as a loading shovel, having said beam pivoted to the upper part of said superstructure and winch and cable mechanism for operating said beam, the improvement which comprises a strut pivoted at one end to an intermediate portion of said beam, a cable drum mounted on the top of said superstructure, and a cable passing downwardly from said drum 0;- er said abutment and anchored beyond said abut- -ment, the part of said cable between said drum and abutment being approximately perpendicular to said beam in its several positions.

JOE DAVIDSON COLDWELL. FRANK BENYON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 367,567 White Aug. 2, 1887 947,964 Collins et al. Feb. 1, 1910 1,540,327 Greenleaf June2, 1925 1,871,603 Ginter Aug. 16, 1932 2,306,474 Tieslau Dec. 29, 1942 2,371,273 Walker Mar. 13, 1945 2,383,686 Ryan Aug. 28, 1945 2,394,830 Woodin Feb. 12, 1946 

